Folding table and method of making the same



May 31, 1932.

Filed Aug. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. E. BALES ET AL FOLDING TABLE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME May 31, 1932.

Filed 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MWWM - corner pieces which flange the same folding legs which 7 given apartial turn.

Patented May 31, 1932 JAMES E. nennsnnn CARL *I; CHRISTENSEN,

S PATENT OFFICE OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBS TO OF ILLINOIS rornrnel'rnsnn Ann METHOD OF IEAKING- THE SAME Application filed August 9, 1929. Serial No. 384,582.

This invention relates to tables in general and particularly to that type or tables having legs which fold therebeneath during storage or when the table is not in use. j t

The primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved table which has its railsmade of sheet metal, the free ends of which are bent to provide a ledge to support the table top. H

Another object is to provide a table having extend. into the hollow ends of the table rails and are fastened thereto, the outside ofthe rails being flush with the corner pieces.

Another object is ing rails which are provided with bentlegs extending from'the inside thereof and below the top of the rails, which has corner members engaging the rails and provided with a level as the bent .legs on the rails, and which has a topifitting between the rails and supported: by thebent legs on the rails andby the flanges on the corner pieces.

Another object isto provide a table having are automatically main.- tained in locked position when the legs are extended, and which may bev unlocked when the legs are given a part turn.

, Another object is to provide a. folding table which has legs pivoted thereto, which is provided with interengaging means for locking the legs in extended position, and which has means for unlocking 'the'legs when provide a table having a support to which legs-are pivotally attached, said legs comprising asleeve portion and a leg portion, spring means being provided for urging the leg portion in one direction relativeto the sleeve portiontor locking theleg in extended position, and means Another object is to [for urging sald leg in an opposite direction when said leg portion is given a partial turn.

A still further-object is to provide'a plu rality of parts arranged in a" novel and par ticular position and connected in a certain manner to provide a rigid and freely operatingtable.

Another object is to provide the'method of making tables which consists in bending to provide atable hay strips of sheet metal to provide rails having legs bent therefromto support a table top, connecting said rails to corner pieces, fastening a top to said bent legs between said rails, and finally pivoting legs to said corner pieces.

Another object is to provide a method of confining an expansion spring in a table leg having a closed upper end which consists in providing a holethrough the closed end, returning a free end of the spring through the spring and through a hole in the closed end, then inserting means through the leg next to the spring and away from the closed end to confine the spring between the closed end and the said means, and finally cutting off the free end of said spring where it extends through said end.

lx umerous other objects and advantages will appear throughout the progress of the specification.

thickness of the top Corner pieces have reduced ends which fit into the open ends of the rails and are fastened thereto so that the outside of the rails will be flush with the outside of the corner pieces. The corner pieces have parallel flanges provided on their bottoms to which legs are pivotall attached; The legs comprise a sleeve portio and a leg.

portion receivedv in the sleeve portion. A

spring is concealed inside of the leg portion, and fastening means extending through the flanges on sleeve and leg portions confine the spring between the fastening means and the top of the leg portion. 7 The leg portion is provided with diagonal slots for, retracting the normall Y projecting pin or locking member on the end of the leg portion when the leg'portion is given a partial turn. A socket is pro vided in each corner piece to receive this'pin when the leg is in extended position. fold the legs it is first necessary to give the the corner pieces and through the leg portion a partial turn which will bring the pin out of engagement with the socket.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of the improved table.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail bottom plan section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of an inside corner on the line of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6.-6 of Fig. 5 showing the leg in extended locked position.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the leg in receded or unlocked position.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates generally a table having rails 11, which are fastened to corner pieces 12. Legs 13 are pivotally connected to the corner pieces 12. and a top 14 is recessed between the rails and supported by the rails and the corner p eces.

The rails 11, Fig. 8, are made from a single strip of sheet metal and bent to prov de the top and bottom 15 and 16 and the sides 17 and 18 respectively. The free edges 19 and 20 extend below the top edge 15 of the rail a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the top 14, and are substantially perpendicular to the normal vertical plane of the rail. Screws or other fastening means 21 extend through the free edges or l egs 19 and 20 r and engage the top 14.

The corner pieces 12, Fig. have rounded outer edges 22 and are recessed at to provide the reduced legs 24. These reduced legs fit into the end of the rails and are fastened thereto by means of bolts or other fastening means 25. The bolts have an ornamental front face and are provided with teeth 25 and force the metal of the rails into a corresponding depression 25" formed. in the legs 24 of the corner member. hen the bolt 25 is tightened the sides 17 and 18 of the rails are forced against the flange 24 causing the outer face of the side 17 of the rails to seat in the reduced portion of the corner piece and be substantially flush with the outside thereof. wardly extending flange 26, Figs. and 7. which is located below the top edge 2. of the corner pieces a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the top 14. Th flanges have their top edges 28 subatan' ill flush with the top of the edges or legs 19 the rails11. The top 14 which may be of laminated construction and having a decorative leather or other similar covering is recessed between the rails and corner pieces release the These corner pieces have an 111-.

and supported by the legs 19 and 20 of the rails and the flanges 26 of the corner pieces.

The legs 13, Figs. 4 to 7, are made up of a sleeve portion 30, and a leg portion 31 which telescopes with the sleeve portion 30. A fitting or other member 32 having a closed top 33 is securely fastened to the leg portion and carries a coiled expansion spring 34. The spring 34 has a straight free end 35 which is integral with the bottom coil of the spring and returns upwardly through the center of the spring. The spring is located in position by dropping it into the bottom of the leg when the leg is in inverted position. The free end 35 extends through a hole 36 provided in the top 33 of the member 32. The hole 36 may be countersunk at 37 to facilitate the straight free end 35 of the spring in finding the hole 36. The corner members 12 have integral spaced arms 38 formed on the bottom thereof and have oppositely alined circular holes 39, Fig. 5. The sleeve 30 is also provided with oppositely alined circular holes 40, whilethe leg portion 31 and the member 32 are provided with diagonal slots 41. The legs 13 are mounted between the arms 38 and pivoted thereto by means of a bolt or other fastening member 42 which passes through the circular holes 39 and 40 in the arms and sleeve respectively and through the diagonal holes or slots 41 in the leg portion 31 and the member 32. p

A .pin 43 is formed on the top 33 of the member 32 and engages a socket 44 provided in the flange 26 of the corner members. The 5 ring 34 is confined between the top 33 of t e member 32 and the bolt 42 and normally urges the pin 43 into its socket or seat 44. This pin and socket engagement is caused by the spring urging the leg portion upwardly toward the top of the leg, movement of the leg portion being limited by the length of the diagonal slots 41. When the spring is arranged in the upper end of the leg with its free end 35 extending through the hole 36. tension is applied to the spring by pulling the free end 36 to contract the spring. Th leg is then arranged between the arms 38. and the bolt 42 inserted in place, after which the free end of the spring is cut off. It is under-'- stood, of course, that the legs are pivoted in place and the end of the spring cut oil before the top is fastened in position. In order to pin 43 from its socket 44 the leg portion 31 is given a partial turn causing the leg portion to moveback into the sleeve due to the engagement of the diagonal slots with the bolt 42. When the leg is released the spring again causes the leg portion to attain normal position, movement of the leg portion being limited by the vertical length of t e diagonal slots. The leg is thereby always in position to be readily locked when it, is in extended position, and is quickly unlocked by giving the leg portion 31 a partial turn.

I an

face for steadying the leg when it is in extendedposition. The stop is properly spaced with reference to the pin and socket so that when the pin is in the socket there will be no chance of the sleeve to swing about its pivot. The pin 43 and the socket 44 may be provided with beveled sides, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and7, to permit free locking and unlocking engagement. I

t is understood, of course, that the sleeve may be made polygonal instead of circular, as shown, and'that the entire upper end of the leg may fit into a corresponding socket instead of using the smaller conical pin 43 engageable with the smaller socket 44L. The legs are provided with a decorative portion 46, Figs. 1 and 2, such as fluting or knurling to decorate'the legs and make the table more attractive and also to increase the permit the parts to be rigidly-held firmness of the grip of the operator. on the table leg to bring the pin 43: out of engagement with its socket.

The invention provides a table which is rigid and durable, which can be shipped knocked down, and which can be readily and economically manufactured and assembled. The construction of the rails and the novelmanner inwhich they are connected to the corner members eliminate welding and together by means of a few screws and bolts. The bolts 25 bite into the metal of the rails and force the metal into a recess provided in the corner members. Bymerely taking out the bolts 25 the rails and corner members may be quickly taken apart. The legs may be manufactured at a very low cost and may be easily manipulated for bringing them into locked or unlocked position. The method of con structing the table and inserting the spring in position permits the table to be constructed of few and simple parts.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is lows: V V

1. A table comprising hollow sheet metal rails having inwardly projecting free edges intermediate the top and bottom of said rails,

hereby claimed as folcorner members connected to said rails and having a flange extending in the same plane as said edges, and a top supported by said flanges and edges. i

2. A table comprising. sheet metal rails having projecting edges below the top and below the bottom of said rails, corner mem flange extending in the, same plane as said edges, and atop supported by said flanges and edges and flush with the top of said rails andthe top of said corner members.

3. A table comprising tubular sheet metal rails,said' rails each havinga pair of free ends, the free ends having projections'bent inwardly from the inner surfaces of the rails intermediate the top and bottom edges of the rails, connecting ,members, legs on said members and received in the tubular ends of said rails, and a top mounted on said projections, the upper surface of said top being flush with the upper surfaces of saidrails.

l. Atable comprising hollow rails made of sheet metal, integral'projections extending inwardly from said rails, means connecting.

said rails and having a portion extending into to receive saidrails, and a top carried by said pro ect1ons.

the ends thereof, said means being recessed 135 5. A table comprising straight sheet metal rails having hollow ends, integral corner 1 pieces connecting said rails, said corner pieces having reduced portions which extend into said hollow ends, and means for fastening said rails to said corner'pieces. V

6. A table comprising sheet metal rails having hollow lends, a corner piece. connecting said rails, saidtcorner piece having a depression therein and a part which extends into 7 said rails, and means for fastening said rails and corner piece together and for causing pression. v r

7. A table comprising hollow sheet metal rails having inner and outer. walls, corner pieces having reduced ends, the reduced ends received in the hollow ends of said rails between the inner and outer walls, the body por- 8. A table comprising sheet metal rails the metal of the rails to be pressedinto the de-, .100

having free edges, the free edges beingbent inwardly and providin'gextending legs ar ranged above. and below the bottom and top respectivelylof the rails, corner piecesfhaving reduced ends received in the ends of said rails to make the outside thereof flush with the body of the corner pieces, a top recessed in said rails and supported by said legs, fas

tening means for said rails'and corner pieces and for said legs and top, and legs pivoted to said cornerpieces. Y a

9. A table comprising sheet. metal rails having bent free'e'dges extending therefrom below the top of said rails, corner pieces engageable withsaid rails andfiush with the outside thereof, a top supported by said edges and said corner pieces, a leg pivoted to said 6 corner ieces, means for limiting the movement 0 said leg as it is brought to extended position, and means for locking said leg in extended position.

10. A table com rising sheet metal rails d ges extending therefrom below the top of said rails, corner pieces engageable with said rails and flush with the outside thereof, a top supported by said edges and said corner pieces, a leg pivoted to said corner pieces, means for limiting the movement of said leg as it is brought to extended position, means for locking said leg in extended position, and means to unlock said leg to return it to folded position by giving said leg a art turn.

11. A table comprising a top, sheet metal rails having the free edges thereof bent outwardly from the normal plane of the rails and below the top of said rails a distance equal to the thickness of the top, corner pieces having reduced ends extending into the ends of said rails to make the outside of said rails flush with the outside of said corner pieces, flanges integral with said corner piecesand level with the bent edges of the rails when the rails and corner pieces are fastened together, bolts passing through said rails and corner pieces, said top recessed between said rails and having its top surface flush with the upper edges of said rails and corner pieces, legs pivoted to said corner pieces, means for limiting the movement of said legs, means for locking said legs in extended position, and means controlled by turning the leg for releasing said locking means.

12. A table comprising corner members having depressions therein, rails fittingly engaged by said corner members, and ornamental fastening means for fastening the rails to the corner members, said fastening means having a lip thereon for forcing the metal of said rails into said depression when said fastening means are tightened in position.

13. A table comprising a sheet metal rail, means arranged in said rail and having a depression therein, fastening means for fas- .tening the rail to said means, and means for a corner piece connected to said rail, an extension on said corner piece and extending into the rail, said extension having a depression therein, fastening means for fastenin the rails to the corner pieces, means on sai fastening means for causing the metal of said rails to be forced into said depression during tightening of the tightening means, and a leg fastened to said corner pieces.

16. A table comprising a sheet metal rail, a corner piece connected to said rail, an extension on said corner piece and extending into the rail, said extension having a depression therein, fastening means for fastenin the rails to the corner pieces, means on said fastening means for causing the metal of said rails to be forced into said depression during tightening of the tightening means, a leg fastened to said corner pieces, means for limiting the movement of said leg as it is brought to extended position, means for locking said leg in extended position, and means to unlock said to return it to folded position by giving said leg a part turn.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.

JAMES E. BALES. CARL T. CHRISTENSEN.

causing the last named means to force the 7.

metal of a rail into said depression.

14. Atable comprising sheet metal table rails, corner pieces connecting said rails, fastening means for fastening said rails to the corner pieces, said corner pieceshaving depressions therein, lips on said fastening H tosaid corner pieces.

meansfor forcing the metalof the rails into 15. A table'comprisin'g .a sheet metal rail,

its 

